Transfer applications due by April 16

����Vlog’s special transfer window for the 2026-27 school year is now open.��

During this window, applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for students to transfer within or into the district if there is space available. That means students who are already in ����Vlog can apply for a transfer to a different school, and students who live outside of the district can apply to attend an ����Vlog school this fall. The window closes on April 16.

Pre-K transfer applications for in-district and out-of-district students are also accepted during this time.

To apply and find out more information about the process, go to our transfer page��here.

GIVE YOUR CHILD THE BEST START POSSIBLE��

Finding a school that fits your child’s needs and goals is��critical��–��and ����Vlog offers a place where every student can thrive. With innovative programs, supportive educators, and opportunities at every level, our district is designed to help students discover their strengths and succeed.��

Whether your child is entering school for the first time or preparing for their future after graduation, ����Vlog provides��a strong foundation��at every stage.��

There are many reasons to transfer to ����Vlog, and here are just five.��

1. EARLY ACCESS TO STEM AND FINE ARTS

STEM learning begins in pre-K 4 with activities designed to spark curiosity and problem-solving. Every elementary school includes two STEM labs and inclusive playgrounds that inspire hands-on exploration. Students also enjoy early fine arts instruction, including strings programs with free instruments provided.��

2. STRONG ATHLETICS AND ELITE FACILITIES

Student athletes have access to diverse��athletics��options beginning in junior high, supported by experienced coaches and��world-class facilities. The district’s����and expanded offerings��–��like��girls��flag football��at all six high schools��–��give students room to grow,��compete,��and excel.��

3. PATHWAYS THAT START IN JUNIOR HIGH

Students who join us before high school can pursue��specialized programs��that��begin��with eighth-grade applications. ����Vlog offers two early college high schools, four P-TECH pathways,��and the STEM Academy at��Martin High School, each designed to prepare students for college and careers.��

4. LEARNING IN MODERN, REAL-WORLD SPACES

Our campuses feature industry-level equipment and creative learning environments. The��Dan Dipert Career + Technical Center��gives juniors and seniors the chance to explore 68 CTE courses across 27 programs. The��Dr. Marcelo Cavazos Center for Visual and Performing Arts��provides professional-quality performance and creative spaces for every student to experience.��The district also partners with local businesses and colleges to give students hands-on experiences that connect learning to life.��

5. A SCHOOL COMMUNITY THAT SUPPORTS FAMILIES

����Vlog places students and families at the center of everything we do. With dedicated support staff, family engagement��programs,��and resources available throughout the year, we work to ensure every student feels connected, encouraged,��and prepared.��In fact, ����Vlog has an entire��department��focused on supporting parents and families with programs that include workshops, language support,��and frequent opportunities to engage with schools.��

NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE THE MOVE��

The transfer window closes April 16, so don’t miss your opportunity to find the perfect fit for your child in ����Vlog. ����

To learn more about the transfer process and to apply, visit our website��here.��

Transfer applications due by Dec. 4

����Vlog’s��regular transfer window for the 2026-27��school year��is now open.��

During this time, families can apply for student transfers either into ����Vlog or between schools within the district. The window closes at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4.��

Learn more and apply for a transfer��here.��

GIVE YOUR CHILD THE BEST START POSSIBLE��

Finding a school that fits your child’s needs and goals is��critical��–��and ����Vlog offers a place where every student can thrive. With innovative programs, supportive educators, and opportunities at every level, our district is designed to help students discover their strengths and succeed.��

Whether your child is entering school for the first time or preparing for their future after graduation, ����Vlog provides��a strong foundation��at every stage.��

There are many reasons to transfer to ����Vlog, and here are just five.��

1. EARLY ACCESS TO STEM AND FINE ARTS

STEM learning begins in pre-K 4 with activities designed to spark curiosity and problem-solving. Every elementary school includes two STEM labs and inclusive playgrounds that inspire hands-on exploration. Students also enjoy early fine arts instruction, including strings programs with free instruments provided.��

2. STRONG ATHLETICS AND ELITE FACILITIES

Student athletes have access to diverse��athletics��options beginning in junior high, supported by experienced coaches and��world-class facilities. The district’s����and expanded offerings��–��like��girls��flag football��at all six high schools��–��give students room to grow,��compete,��and excel.��

3. PATHWAYS THAT START IN JUNIOR HIGH

Students who join us before high school can pursue��specialized programs��that��begin��with eighth-grade applications. ����Vlog offers two early college high schools, four P-TECH pathways,��and the STEM Academy at��Martin High School, each designed to prepare students for college and careers.��

4. LEARNING IN MODERN, REAL-WORLD SPACES

Our campuses feature industry-level equipment and creative learning environments. The��Dan Dipert Career + Technical Center��gives juniors and seniors the chance to explore 68 CTE courses across 27 programs. The��Dr. Marcelo Cavazos Center for Visual and Performing Arts��provides professional-quality performance and creative spaces for every student to experience.��The district also partners with local businesses and colleges to give students hands-on experiences that connect learning to life.��

5. A SCHOOL COMMUNITY THAT SUPPORTS FAMILIES

����Vlog places students and families at the center of everything we do. With dedicated support staff, family engagement��programs,��and resources available throughout the year, we work to ensure every student feels connected, encouraged,��and prepared.��In fact, ����Vlog has an entire��department��focused on supporting parents and families with programs that include workshops, language support,��and frequent opportunities to engage with schools.��

NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE THE MOVE��

The transfer window closes Dec. 4, so��don’t��miss your opportunity to find the perfect fit for your��child��in��Arlington��ISD.������

To learn more about the transfer process and to apply, visit our website��here.��

Transfer applications are reviewed based on the ����Vlog Board-approved priority order and available space. The priority groups are:��

1. Children of full-time ����Vlog employees��
2. ����Vlog residents��
3. Residents of the City of Arlington who live outside ����Vlog boundaries
4. All other non-resident applicants.

����Vlog’s Wimbish��World Language Academy has officially been accepted into the prestigious International Spanish Academy (ISA) Network, a designation awarded by the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training of Spain to high-performing dual-language schools in the U.S. and Canada.

Already home to an award-winning French immersion program and recipient of the LabelFrancÉducation from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs,��Wimbish is now the only school in Texas to hold both international distinctions.

“This is what makes ����Vlog exceptional,” said Dr. Chelsea Kostyniak, principal of WWLA. “Our students are growing up bilingual, biliterate, and globally minded – all while receiving a top-tier education in a welcoming public school environment.”

“Being the only school in Texas with both of these international designations reflects the incredible commitment of our teachers, families, and students,” said Dr. Matt Smith, superintendent of ����Vlog. “This recognition proves that public education in ����Vlog surpasses all standards. When families choose Wimbish, they’re choosing global opportunity, academic excellence, and a future without limits.”

The ISA program provides access to global curriculum resources, national recognition, and international collaboration. At��Wimbish, students are immersed in Spanish and French dual-language instruction, giving them not only a competitive edge but a deep appreciation of global cultures and communication.

Research shows that children exposed to multiple languages demonstrate stronger problem-solving skills, enhanced cognitive flexibility, and improved academic achievement. A recent study published in "Child Development" found that bilingual students outperform monolingual peers in reading and math – making dual-language programs a powerful tool for long-term academic success.

Why It Matters:

• Wimbish World Language Academy is the only school in Texas – and the U.S. – with both the Spanish ISA and French Label recognitions.
• Students experience language immersion in both Spanish and French – at no cost to families.
• This unique program is only available in ����Vlog, not in charter, private, or voucher-supported schools.

This is public education at its best – inclusive, innovative, and international.

Families looking for confidence, culture, and academic excellence don’t have to look far. Amazing things are happening in ����Vlog, and��Wimbish��World Language Academy is just one shining example of how the district is raising the bar and delivering what other schools can’t.

Learn more:

• ����Vlog Specialized Programs

����Vlog transfer window opens at 9 a.m.

The ����Vlog opens its regular transfer window Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at 9 a.m.

This window, which is for the 2025-26 school year, allows families to apply for student transfers into or within the district. The window will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5.

Priority for transfers during this period is determined by the ����Vlog Board-approved order and is based on space availability. The priority groups are as follows:

1. Children of full-time ����Vlog employees
2. ����Vlog residents
3. Residents of the City of Arlington outside district boundaries
4. All other non-residential transfer requests

There are plenty of reasons to transfer your student to the ����Vlog, and here are just a few keys as to why transferring into the ����Vlog can transform the future for your child.

〉STEM Education Starts Early

����Vlog is a pioneer in STEM education, offering district-wide STEM curriculum starting in pre-K for all 4-year-olds. In fact, the district was the first in Texas to implement such a comprehensive STEM program for its youngest learners. And the best part? Pre-K is FREE for all 4-year-olds regardless of where they are zoned for.

Thanks to the support of voters, all ����Vlog elementary schools are equipped with two state-of-the-art STEM labs. Additionally, the district’s 2019 Bond passed funding to build age-appropriate, ADA-accessible playgrounds at every elementary school – creating spaces where children can explore, learn and grow.

〉Athletic Opportunities Like No Other

Sports in ����Vlog start early, with junior high athletics offered at all 10 of our campuses. Whether your child dreams of competing in tennis, wrestling or a wide range of other sports, ����Vlog has the program. What sets us apart? Junior high student-athletes are coached by varsity-level head coaches, ensuring high-quality instruction and mentorship.

For swimmers, ����Vlog is home to a state-of-the-art natatorium complete with an Olympic-sized pool – located in the heart of Arlington’s entertainment district.

In 2024 alone,��over 100 ����Vlog student-athletes earned more than $6 million in scholarships��during our Signing Day ceremony.

〉 Junior High is Key

To fully take advantage of ����Vlog’s specialized programs, transferring before ninth grade is essential. Why? Because that’s when students can apply for one of our early college high schools or the��STEM Academy at Martin High School.

Additionally, ����Vlog offers four P-TECH programs, where students can earn up to 60 hours of free college credit and earn workplace certifications in health sciences, business administration, logistics, engineering, cybersecurity and computer-aided design – all at no cost.

To take advantage of those opportunities, students must start each of those programs as freshmen. That makes getting here for eighth grade a huge factor.

〉A Community Committed to Excellence

����Vlog is proud to be supported by a community that is deeply invested in its schools. Thanks to a $966 million bond passed in 2019 (building on the success of the 2014 Bond), we’ve been able to expand and enhance our facilities. Our district is home to the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center and the Dr. Marcelo Cavazos Center for Visual and Performing Arts, an unmatched facility that provides students with a premier fine arts education.

These investments are just the beginning. With new schools, extensive campus updates and a commitment to providing students with the best possible learning environments, ����Vlog continues to create opportunities for success.

Ready to Make the Leap?

To learn more about the transfer process and to apply when the ����Vlog transfer window opens Nov. 21, visit our website��here.

Transfer to ����Vlog. Transform your child’s future!

Lots of reasons to transfer to ����Vlog

The ����Vlog has a��special transfer window open until Thursday, July 18.

While the window is open, students from outside the district can transfer in for the 2024-2025 school year, and students already in ����Vlog can apply for a transfer to another school.

Students are considered on a first-come, first served basis where space is available. An exception to this is a sibling transfer to a specialized program.

Learn more about transferring to – or within – ����Vlog at��aisd.net/transfer. And if you have any questions, email transfers@aisd.net or call (682) 867-7217.

In ����Vlog, we have opportunities for every child. If you need reasons why the ����Vlog is right for you, here are just a few:

STEM STARTS EARLY

��starts in��pre-K 4! In the ����Vlog, every elementary school has two STEM labs that help open up students to outstanding opportunities. And thanks to the 2019 Bond, each elementary school has two new age-appropriate playgrounds��that are ADA-accessible. And if fine arts are what you want, that starts in elementary, too, as every school has a strings room, and instruments are provided free of charge for all students.

ATHLETIC OPPORTUNITIES

Sports begin in junior high in the ����Vlog at our 10 campuses. Did you know that includes both tennis and wrestling, too? And in those sports, the junior high students are taught by varsity head coaches. If you’re looking for the best facilities for your child, the district opened a state-of-the-art natatorium in 2021 and a new arena as part of an��Athletics Center��that is located in the heart of Arlington’s entertainment district. At our National Signing Day celebration, more than 100 of our student athletes participated in��National Signing Day��earning more than $6 million in scholarships.

JUNIOR HIGH IS KEY

The ����Vlog is open for everyone, but to take full advantage of our��specialized programs��you must transfer in before high school. That’s because the eighth grade is when students apply for one of our two early college high schools, our four P-TECH programs or the STEM Academy at Martin High School. Ninth graders at all high schools also start taking classes that can help lead to jobs through programs at our state-of-the-art��Dan Dipert Career & Technical Center.

ACADEMIES FOR ALL

While every one of our campuses provides outstanding opportunities for everyone, the ����Vlog also has five specialized elementary school programs and six high school opportunities that focus on everything from STEM and fine arts to leadership and dual language. We also have a new fine arts/dual language junior high school to build on the two dual language/fine arts elementary schools we already have.

Why wait?��Transfer��to the ����Vlog!

Transfers accepted if space is available

The ����Vlog is opening a special transfer window for the 2024-25 school year starting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 26.

During this window, which closes on April 11, applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis where students can transfer within the district if there is space available. This is also the opportunity for out-of-district transfer students to attend ����Vlog schools this fall. This is the same window for in-district and out-of-district transfers for our free pre-K program for the fall, too.

To find out all the information about the process, go to our transfer page��here. This will also be the page where you can apply for a transfer starting Tuesday.

There are lots of reasons to transfer

Don’t forget the window to apply for a transfer in the ����Vlog for the 2024-25 school year closes Thursday at 11:59 p.m.

This is a regular transfer window, with priority for transfers determined by the Board-approved order where space is available.

Priority during this window is given to children of full-time ����Vlog employees, then ����Vlog residents, then city of Arlington residents outside the district boundaries, and, finally, all other non-residential requests for transfers. You can find out more about our transfer process here.

If you’re not already in the ����Vlog and need a reason to transfer, we’ve got tons!

But we’ve narrowed things down to just a few to give you a better idea of what to expect in the ����Vlog.

STEM STARTS EARLY

STEM starts in pre-K for all 4-year-olds as the ����Vlog was the first in the state to create a district-wide STEM curriculum for its littlest learners.��

And pre-K is FREE for all 4-year-olds!

Thanks to the 2014 Bond voters, kids at all 53 elementary schools have access to two fully-equipped STEM labs, and 2019 Bond voters approved two age-appropriate ADA-accessible playgrounds at every elementary school.

And if fine arts are what you want, that starts in elementary school, too, as every school has a strings room, and instruments are provided free of charge for all students.

ATHLETIC OPPORTUNITIES

Sports begin in junior high in the ����Vlog at our ten campuses. Did you know that includes both tennis and wrestling? And in those sports, the junior high students are taught by varsity head coaches.

If your child loves the water, they will be amazed by the new state-of-the-art natatorium featuring an Olympic-sized pool and an athletics arena located in the heart of Arlington’s entertainment district.

In February, more than 60 ����Vlog student-athletes participated in National Signing Day, earning more than $6 million in scholarships.

JUNIOR HIGH IS KEY

The ����Vlog is open for everyone, but to take full advantage of our��specialized programs you must transfer before ninth grade. That’s because the eighth grade is when students apply for one of two early college high schools or the STEM Academy at Martin High School.

The district also has four P-TECH programs where students can earn up to 60 hours of free college credit and get workplace certifications in health sciences, business administration, logistics, engineering, cybersecurity, manufacturing and computer-aided design and drafting. And it’s all free.

Ninth graders also start taking classes that can help lead to jobs through programs at our Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT, TOO

The ����Vlog is a high-tech, forward-thinking school district thanks to a community that passed a $966 million��Bond in 2019. That’s building on our 2014 Bond, which is why we have the��Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center��that puts students on paths to success. That’s why we have the Dr. Marcelo Cavazos Center for Visual and Performing Arts, an unmatched facility in the area. That’s why we’ve built new schools, updated every campus and provided our students with the best opportunities.

The opportunity to transfer your student to ����Vlog is now.

Apply here.

Apply for transfer by Nov. 30

The ����Vlog is opening a transfer window for the 2024-25 school year this Thursday starting at 9 a.m.

The transfer window is open until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30.

During this regular transfer window, priority for transfers is determined by the Board-approved order where space is available.

Priority during this window is given to children of full-time ����Vlog employees, then ����Vlog residents, then city of Arlington residents outside the district boundaries and finally all other non-residential requests for transfers. The window opens at 9 a.m. You can find out more about our transfer process here.

If you’re not in the ����Vlog and need a reason to transfer in, we’ve got tons!

Here are just a few.

STEM STARTS EARLY

STEM starts in pre-K for all 4-year-olds as the ����Vlog was the first in the state to create a district-wide STEM curriculum for its littlest learners.��And pre-K is FREE for all 4-year-olds. Thanks to the 2014 Bond voters, kids at all 53 elementary schools have access to two fully equipped STEM labs, and 2019 Bond voters approved two age-appropriate ADA-accessible playgrounds at every elementary school. And if fine arts are what you want, that starts in elementary school, too, as every school has a strings room, and instruments are provided free of charge for all students.

ATHLETIC OPPORTUNITIES

Sports begin in junior high in the ����Vlog at our ten campuses. Did you know that includes both tennis and wrestling? And in those sports, the junior high students are taught by varsity head coaches. If your child loves the water, they will be amazed by the new state-of-the-art natatorium featuring an Olympic-sized pool and an athletics arena located in the heart of Arlington’s entertainment district. In February, more than 60 ����Vlog student-athletes participated in National Signing Day, earning more than $6 million in scholarships.

JUNIOR HIGH IS KEY

The ����Vlog is open for everyone, but to take full advantage of our��specialized programs you must transfer before ninth grade. That’s because the eighth grade is when students apply for one of two early college high schools or the STEM Academy at Martin High School. The district also has four P-TECH programs where students can earn up to 60 hours of free college credit and get workplace certifications in health sciences, business administration, logistics, engineering, cybersecurity, manufacturing and computer-aided design and drafting. And it’s all free. Ninth graders also start taking classes that can help lead to jobs through programs at our Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT, TOO

The ����Vlog is a high-tech, forward-thinking school district thanks to a community that passed a $966 million��Bond in 2019. That’s building on our 2014 Bond, which is why we have the��Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center��that puts students on paths to success. That’s why we have the Dr. Marcelo Cavazos Center for Visual and Performing Arts, an unmatched facility in the area. That’s why we’ve built new schools, updated every campus and provided our students with the best opportunities. The opportunity to transfer your student to ����Vlog is now.

Take the first step starting Thursday. Transfer��to the ����Vlog and transform your child’s future.

Transfer to ����Vlog

����Vlog is opening a special transfer window tomorrow, July 12, through Thursday, August 4.

While the window is open, students from outside the district can transfer in for the 2022-2023 school year, and students already in ����Vlog can apply for a transfer to another school.

Students are considered on a first-come, first served basis where space is available. An exception to this is a sibling transfer to a specialized program.��

Learn more about transferring to – or within – ����Vlog at aisd.net/transfer. And if you have any questions, email transfers@aisd.net or call (682) 867-7217.

In ����Vlog, we have opportunities for every child. If you need reasons why the ����Vlog is right for you, here are just a few:

STEM STARTS EARLY��

now starts in pre-K 4! In the ����Vlog, every elementary school has two STEM labs that help open up students to outstanding opportunities. And thanks to the 2019 Bond, each elementary school is getting��two new age-appropriate playgrounds��that will be ADA-accessible. And if fine arts are what you want, that starts in elementary, too, as every school has a strings room, and instruments are provided free of charge for all students.��

ATHLETIC OPPORTUNITIES��

Sports begin in junior high in the ����Vlog at our 10 campuses. Did you know that includes both tennis and wrestling, too? And in those sports, the junior high students are taught by varsity head coaches. If you’re looking for the best facilities for your child, the district opened a state-of-the-art natatorium last fall and a new arena as part of an��Athletics Center��that is located in the heart of Arlington’s entertainment district. In February, more than 40 of our student athletes participated in��National Signing Day, earning nearly $2 million in scholarships.��

JUNIOR HIGH IS KEY��

The ����Vlog is open for everyone, but to take full advantage of our��specialized programs you must transfer in before high school. That’s because the eighth grade is when students apply for one of our four early college high schools or the STEM Academy at Martin High School. Ninth graders at all high schools also start taking classes that can help lead to jobs through programs at our state-of-the-art Dan Dipert Career & Technical Center.

ACADEMIES FOR ALL��

While every one of our campuses provides outstanding opportunities for everyone, the ����Vlog also has five specialized elementary school programs and four high school opportunities that focus on everything from STEM and fine arts to leadership and dual language. We also have a new fine arts/dual language junior high school to build on the two dual language/fine arts elementary schools we already have.��

COMMUNITY SUPPORT, TOO��

The ����Vlog you transfer into now is ever-changing thanks to a community that passed a $966 million bond in 2019. That’s building on our 2014 Bond, which is why we have the��Dan Dipert Career & Technical Center��that puts students on a variety of paths to success. That’s why we have the new Center for Visual and Performing Arts, a facility that is unmatched in the area. That’s why we’re building new schools, updating every campus and providing our students the best opportunities. Why wouldn’t you want to come to a district that has that kind of backing?��

Learn more and transfer today.

The ����Vlog transfer window for the 2022-2023 school year opens at 9 a.m. Tuesday.��During this special window, students are considered on a first-come, first-served basis where space is available. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. Thursday, April 14.

Students can transfer from outside the district for the 2022-2023 school year or apply for a transfer from one ����Vlog school to another.��Also, during this window, registration for pre-K 4 opens on Friday, April 1. Families in ����Vlog boundaries can apply to transfer from their home campus to another campus. Families outside the ����Vlog who wish to enroll their child in ����Vlog pre-K can apply for a transfer. The window for in-district and out-of-district transfers for pre-K also closes on April 14.

To find out all the information about transfers and to apply for one, go to our transfer page here.

If you need more reasons why transferring to the ����Vlog is the right choice, we give you five here!

It’s time to circle your calendars for Tuesday, March 29, at 9 a.m.

That’s the day that students can transfer in ����Vlog for the 2022-23 school year and set themselves up for a future of success.

This special transfer window is when students are considered on a first-come, first-served basis where space is available. An exception to this is a sibling transfer to a specialized program.

Students can transfer from outside the district for the 2022-23 school year during this time or apply for a transfer from another ����Vlog campus. The window closes at 11:59 p.m. on April 14. You can find out all the details on the transfer process .

If you need reasons why the ����Vlog is right for you, we’ve got you covered with opportunities for every student.

STEM STARTS EARLY

In the ����Vlog, every elementary school has two STEM labs that help open up students to outstanding opportunities. And for the 2022-23 school year, STEM begins in pre-K 4. Thanks to the 2019 Bond, each elementary school will also have��two age-appropriate playgrounds��that will be ADA-accessible. And if fine arts are what you want, that starts in elementary school, too, as every school has a strings room, and instruments are provided free of charge for all students.

ATHLETIC OPPORTUNITIES

Sports begin in junior high in the ����Vlog at our 10 campuses. Did you know that includes both tennis and wrestling? And in those sports, the junior high students are taught by varsity head coaches. And if you’re looking for the best facilities for your child, the district opened a state-of-the-art natatorium last fall and a new arena as part of an athletics center that is located in the heart of Arlington’s entertainment district. In February, more than 40 of our student-athletes participated in��National Signing Day (), earning nearly $2 million in athletic scholarships.

JUNIOR HIGH IS KEY

The ����Vlog is open for everyone, but to take full advantage of our��specialized programs you must transfer in before high school. That’s because the eighth grade is when students apply for our four early college high school programs as well as our STEM Academy at Martin High School. Ninth graders also start taking classes that can help lead to jobs through programs at our Dan Dipert Career & Technical Center.

ACADEMIES FOR ALL

While every one of our campuses provides outstanding opportunities, the ����Vlog also has five specialized elementary school academies that focus on everything from STEM to leadership, plus four high school opportunities. We also have a fine arts/dual language junior high school to build on the two dual language/fine arts elementary schools we already have.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT, TOO

The ����Vlog is ever-changing thanks to a community that passed a $966 million bond in 2019. That’s building on our 2014 Bond, which is why we have the��Dan Dipert Career & Technical Center��that puts students on paths to success. That’s why we have the new Center for Visual and Performing Arts, a facility that is unmatched in the area. That’s why we’re building new schools, updating every campus and providing our students the best opportunities. Why wouldn’t you want to come to a district that has that kind of backing?

To take advantage of all of that and more, you have to take the first step starting March 29 to��transfer��to the ����Vlog and transform your future.

Lots of ����Vlog elementary students will have new playgrounds waiting for them when they return to school in August! New playgrounds at the 17 schools in phase one are either complete or will wrap up soon.

Thanks to the support of the Arlington community, the 2019 Bond is funding two new playgrounds for all 55 district elementary schools, one for pre-K through first grade, and the other for second through sixth grade. The 55 schools are divided into three construction phases. The playgrounds include shade structures, accessible play equipment and rubber surfaces. While the equipment is standard from campus to campus, schools get to make their own color selections.

At Bebensee Elementary, the new playgrounds opened in April, so students got to enjoy them for a few weeks before school let out for the summer in May.

“The new playground at Bebensee has been a breath of fresh air for our students, staff and the families in our community,” Bebensee Principal Charlotte Carter said. “We are all so excited about the variety of state-of-the-art ‘learning thru play’ themes that challenge our students. There's a music center with miniature drums and other instruments, several climbing walls and a variety of large and small motor skills stations. Plus, it's built with all of our students in mind. We love it!"

Elementary schools with completed playgrounds include Pearcy STEM Academy, , , , , , , and .

The new playgrounds at Anderson, Wood, Duff, Crouch, Ellis, Larson and Remynse are nearing completion and should wrap up in July. All have their playground equipment installed and now need the surfacing to be finished. Corey Academy, the final school in phase one, kicked off last week with demolition of the old playground equipment. Equipment will be installed in July and the project will be completed in August.

Phase two of new playground construction will start in August and includes the following schools: Blanton, Burgin, Butler, Crow, Ditto, Dunn, Farrell, Fitzgerald, Hill, Kooken, Morton, Patrick, Rankin, Sherrod and Wimbish.

All summer

School may be out for the summer, but��students��who attend������Vlog’s��Agriculture Science Center��have their hands full��year-round.��And even without classes, every day is still busy.��That’s because they have steers, lambs, goats, chickens, heifers, rabbits and more to take care of.��Dedicated to the��health��and cleanliness of all��the��animals��housed at the Ag Center,��some students start their day at 6:30 a.m.��and don’t conclude their day until 9:00 p.m.!����

The Agriculture Science Center opened in October 2017��to��serve��high school students��with an interest��in��animals and agriculture.��Funded by the 2014 Bond, the facility makes ag education and raising an animal accessible to all��high school��students. Prior to 2017, ag students had to find their own��accommodations��for animals, which could be expensive and out of reach for many.��Now that the Ag Center is open, students have a free place to house their animals.����

The process of raising an animal is an��education in itself. It starts when a��student��purchases��the��animal.��They��then��raise��and train��the animal��as their own��at the Ag Center,��and then finally��they��auction��the animal��off��for consumption��to the highest bidder.��

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How do students pay for this?��

Purchasing an animal can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.��To procure an animal most students try to attain a scholarship��through competing in stock shows.��Students compete in��stock shows��in Houston, Fort Worth, San Antonio and San Angelo��in what is called a “calf scramble.” This is where a group of students chase around a group of calves��in a show arena and try��to put��a halter��around the calf and drag it��to the middle of the arena. If the student is successful, they win a scholarship that can total up to $1,500��and��must go toward the animal.��This helps with purchasing supplements, feed, bedding, hair care,��etc. If a��market��animal does well at show they��can��be auctioned off and��the��student can earn up to $200,000.��It seems simple,��but the time and dedication��the student gives��are��what determine the animal's success.��

Future Farmers of America

Kyle Durr,��an ����Vlog alumnus��and now��a��teacher��at the��Ag��Center,��has seen the program��grow from when he was��a student attending Arlington High��School.����

“As a student,��there wasn’t a space to keep the animals like there��is��now.”����

Durr��jokingly��admits��he’s a little jealous of the progress��of��the program��and the facility��and��wishes��he had it as��a��student. But he is also proud��of how far it has come.��A perk to his position is that��Durr gets to teach amazing students��like Sophee Dever,��president of the��Arlington��FFA��(Future Farmers of America)��and Ryan Smith,��FFA��secretary.��

Dever and Smith explained that the��Ag Center��has a three-circle��model. The��FFA��is��an organization that��helps��promotes��agriculture education and��teaches��leadership.��Portion��two of the model is the classroom curriculum (vet med,��advanced animal science, etc.)��Finally,��there is the��SAE (Supervised Agriculture Experience), which helps��students build��on��their knowledge from��the classrooms��on topics such as raising livestock like cattle to even��testing their skills in��horticulture.������

Dever and Smith,��who are now seniors��at Arlington High,��have been a part of the program since they were��freshmen. Dever,��who has two lambs��at the facility��(Bullseye and��Slinky),��plans to��attend��Texas Tech to study wildlife.��Smith,��who��has about��50��breeding��rabbits at his farm at home,��plans to��attend��Texas A&M to study animal science or��veterinary��science.��For��students��like Dever, Smith and��Martin High��School��junior��Tyler��Hausenfluke,��the Ag Center and��being in the FFA��is awesome because of friends, learning��the materials��and��cultivating��leadership��qualities.����

You can also follow on��, like��their��, and��follow��on��.��If the FFA��is an area of��interest��for��you and you currently are not a student��inside������Vlog do not worry! You can��transfer��to������Vlog starting July 17 to join in on��all��the fun.

STEM Student off to Stanford in the fall

STEM Academy student Chijioke Mgbahurike applied for the Amazon Future Engineer scholarship on a whim after realizing he met eligibility requirements.

The results helped turn an ordinary day at Martin High School into an extraordinary one when he opened an Amazon package April 28 and discovered he’d won a $40,000 scholarship.

The program helps underserved students advance their education in computer science with a scholarship and paid summer internship opportunity at Amazon.�� To diversify the technology industry, the company awards scholarships to 100 students across the nation who have completed a high school computer science course and plan to further their education in computer science.

The Surprise of a Lifetime

Teachers and staff surrounded Mgbahurike as he opened the box that held a certificate and company paraphernalia. He was surprised and filled with excitement as he opened the box and learned about his award status.

“I guess I was a stronger applicant than I thought,” said Mgbahurike.

Mgbahurike‘s family is originally from Nigeria and moved to the United States in 2010. He credits his mother as being his biggest supporter throughout life.

“She always told me I could succeed at anything I wanted to do if I worked hard enough,” Mgbahurike said. “No matter how tough things may get along the way, you have to keep going.”

Developing Solutions Before Graduation

While in the STEM Academy at Martin, Mgbahurike participated in several competitions in the district and visited the University of Oklahoma for Math Day, a day-long program of math activities for high school students from Oklahoma and Texas. His teachers describe him as a specialist in Hackathon, a project-based event designed to test students’ engineering skills by allowing them to create a solution to an issue they have noticed in or with schools and students. Mgbahurike recently had the opportunity to present his original software solution to Superintendent Marcelo Cavazos and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Steven Wurtz.

Awards Galore

“The STEM program at Martin is the absolute best in the city,” said Mgbahurike. “The countless opportunities it gives you to succeed are extremely beneficial to your growth as a student, and it helps develop your passion for innovation in science and technology.”

The National Honor Society, Mayor’s Youth Commission, Ready Writing program and a software developer internship at Bell Flight also keep Mgbahurike busy throughout the school year. Spare time may seem like a foreign concept in the life of such a hard-working student, but Mgbahurike finds time to play soccer, watch anime and cook his favorite foods when he’s at home.��

Dedication, Drive, Determination

Jennifer Rothwell, an advanced English teacher at Martin, has taught Mgbahurike since he was a freshman and has enjoyed seeing his growth as a continuous learner.

“It’s truly amazing to see all of his goals from years ago come to fruition,” said Rothwell. “I always knew he had so much potential because he was the only student that didn’t just want to excel in school. He wanted to understand life, and I wish every student possessed that type of insight.”

“In all my years of teaching him, he never took one opportunity for granted. He had no sense of entitlement and worked diligently to get to this point today.”

Standford - for the Weather

In the fall, Mgbahurike will attend Stanford University on a full scholarship to pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer science.��

“Stanford has one of the top computer science programs in the world, and I can’t wait to expand my knowledge with the best leaders in technology,” said Mgbahurike.

While Stanford won the competition to get Mgbahurike to enroll, it’s not like he didn’t have other outstanding options. Yale and Columbia are also among the schools that offered him full scholarships.��

“Yale and Columbia are great schools, but I really want to enjoy the California weather,” said Mgbahurike.�� He has no plans of slowing down any time soon and wants to continue his extracurricular involvement at Stanford.

“It’s my mission to come back and tell kids about the wonderful opportunities and benefits of the STEM program at Martin,” said Mgbahurike. “This program changed my life, and other students need to be aware of the positive impact they can make in the community and the country if they dive in.”

For more information on the ����Vlog STEM Academy, please visit aisd.net/stem-academy.

Winner of the 2020 Congressional App Challenge

Being a student at the STEM Academy opened up more than just a new world in education for Michelle Nguyen. Attending the school on the Martin High School campus also served as the inspiration for an award-winning app designed by the 16-year-old junior.

The light-bulb moment was born from Nguyen’s interactions with classmates at STEM Academy from all over the city.

“I realized that even though we all lived in Arlington and went to Arlington public schools, our experiences and the environments we were surrounded by were different,” Nguyen said.

Bridging those differences with the shared interests of students from across ����Vlog led Nguyen to design “Clava.” The app connects people to others with similar likes, regardless of where they live and what school they attend.

“For example, the computer science scene at Martin is stronger than most other high schools, so someone interested in CS at another school would have a harder time finding peers with that same interest,” Nguyen said. “I wanted to help lessen those differences and provide a way for students to connect in a meaningful way. After all, doing something you like with other people helps keep you motivated.”

Motivation has not been an issue for Nguyen. She’s taken part in computer science competitions since her freshman year. STEM Academy/Martin teacher James Hovey coached Nguyen in those contests, and has been her advanced computer science instructor the past two years.

“More so than any student I've had before, Michelle loves to compete,” Hovey said. “These competitions require and teach skills far beyond what we learn in class. She competes in coding competitions, many different web design competitions, app development and a variety of cybersecurity competitions.”

Clava earned Nguyen national recognition, with the late Rep. Ron Wright naming her as the winner of the . More than 6,500 students registered for the 2020 Congressional App Challenge, submitting 3,088 functioning apps amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The idea of Clava immediately connected with Hovey.

“I remember when she thought of the idea, and I loved it immediately,” he said. “I appreciate all the activities and clubs that my students participate in, and we’d realized that many of them were things that only our school did. I know how much knowledge, fun and benefit students gain from these activities, and how many other students even locally were not getting the same opportunities.”

It’s safe to say that Nguyen has made an impression over the years. STEM Academy coordinator Marianne Varner taught Nguyen in freshman geometry, and they’ve worked together ever since.

“She is an outstanding student,” Varner said. “She is currently a junior, and taking courses at both Martin and UTA.��She is very organized and on top of things, and yet she relates well to both peers and teachers.”

The STEM Academy had its first freshman class fall of 2015.��The application program is open to entering 9th graders from across the ����Vlog and private/charter schools.��Currently, the Academy has 535 students who are cohorted in their pathways and core classes. As juniors, they can start taking dual credit classes at UTA in STEM courses such as engineering, computer science, mathematics, psychology, chemistry and biology, along with some basic college classes.

The Academy has graduated two classes so far 2019 and 2020, with 98 percent of graduates attending four-year college programs.��Among the universities attended by Academy alums are MIT, Stanford, Carnegie-Mellon, Johns Hopkins, Notre Dame, Rice, Texas A&M, Texas and UTA.��

“Our students are very well prepared to stay in college programs,” Varner said. “Our motto that we share with the kids is ‘Dream big, be bold.’”

Nguyen also plays tennis for Martin, is a peer mentor for STEM Academy freshmen, founded the Girls Who Code club and president of the Key Club.��And her Nguyen’s cleverness isn’t confined to just coding. Clava is Latin for “club.”

She’s certainly made the most of her of team at STEM Academy.

“After being in the STEM Academy for nearly three years now, I can definitively say that it one of the best choices I could have made,” she said. “For one, it’s allowed me to meet people who have pushed me to become a better person and challenge me every day. I feel like I have made lifelong friends with people in STEM who I would have otherwise never met.

“STEM has also provided me with so many opportunities such as allowing me to participate in various coding competitions, taking me on trips to places like NASA, and giving me the ability to take UTA classes as a high school student.”

Las oportunidades para que un estudiante se encaminen hacia el éxito no surgen con frecuencia, por lo que cuando lo hacen, es importante actuar con rapidez.

Ese es el caso en ����Vlog, que tiene un abierto del 1 al 19 de marzo que permitirá a los estudiantes cambiarse a un distrito que transformará su futuro. Y la buena noticia es que ni siquiera tiene que vivir en Arlington o estar asignado al Distrito Escolar Independiente de Arlington. El distrito está "abierto", lo que significa que cualquier estudiante puede aprovechar las oportunidades ilimitadas que tiene para el éxito sin importar cuál sea su camino.

Aquí hay tres oportunidades disponibles para todas las edades.

STEM COMIENZA TEMPRANO

En ����Vlog, cada escuela primaria tiene dos laboratorios STEM que ayudarán a que los estudiantes se abran a oportunidades excepcionales. Y gracias al Paquete de Bonos 2019, cada escuela primaria también tendrá dos patios de recreo apropiados para la edad que serán accesibles según la ADA. Y si lo que desea son bellas artes, eso también comienza en la escuela primaria, ya que todas las escuelas tienen una sala de cuerdas y los instrumentos se proporcionan de forma gratuita para todos los estudiantes.

OPORTUNIDADES DE ATLETISMO

Los deportes comienzan en la secundaria en ����Vlog en sus 10 escuelas. Eso incluye tanto el tenis como la lucha libre. Y en esos deportes, los entrenadores de equipo de universitarios enseñan a los estudiantes de secundaria. Si está buscando facilidades para su hijo, el distrito acaba de abrir un natatorio de última generación con una piscina olímpica y un nuevo estadio como parte de un complejo de atletismo que se encuentra en el corazón de Arlington. distrito de entretenimiento. En febrero, más de 70 de nuestros estudiantes atletas participaron en el Día Nacional de la Firma, recibiendo casi $ 5 millones en becas.

LA SECUNDARIA ES CLAVE

����Vlog está abierto para todos, pero para aprovechar al máximo nuestros , debe transferirse antes de la escuela preparatoria. Esto se debe a que en el octavo grado es cuando los estudiantes completan su solicitud para nuestras tres escuelas preparatorias de universidad temprana, así como para nuestra Academia STEM en Martin High School. Los estudiantes de noveno grado también comienzan a tomar clases que pueden ayudarlos a obtener empleos a través de programas en nuestro Centro de Carreras Técnicas Dan Dipert. Si la oportunidad de obtener hasta 60 horas de crédito universitario gratuito o la oportunidad de ir a nuestra nueva escuela con un enfoque en carreras médicas en Bowie High School es adecuada para usted, entonces debe llegar aquí antes de la escuela preparatoria.

Si estas tres razones no son suficientes, visite nuestro para obtener información sobre cuatro más.

Para aprovecharse de todo eso y más, debe dar el primer paso antes del 19 de marzo para a ����Vlog y transformar su futuro.

Set your students up on a path for success

Opportunities to set students up on a path for success don’t come up often, so when they do, it’s important to act fast.

That’s the case in the ����Vlog, which has a open from March 1 to March 19 that will allow students to transfer into a district that will transform their future.

Students can transfer to the ����Vlog and set themselves up for a future of success no matter what their path is. Here are seven opportunities available for all ages.

��STEM STARTS EARLY

In the ����Vlog, every elementary school has two STEM labs that will help open up students to outstanding opportunities. And thanks to the 2019 Bond, each elementary school will also have two age-appropriate playgrounds that will be ADA-accessible. And if fine arts are what you want, that starts in elementary school, too, as every school has a strings room, and instruments are provided free of charge for all students.�� ��

ATHLETIC OPPORTUNITIES

Sports begin in junior high in the ����Vlog at 10 campuses. Did you know that includes both tennis and wrestling? And in those sports the junior high students are taught by varsity head coaches. And if you’re looking for facilities for your child, the district just opened a state-of-the-art natatorium as well as a new arena as part of an athletics complex that is located in the heart of Arlington’s entertainment district. In February, more than 70 of our student athletes participated in National Signing Day, earning nearly $5 million in scholarships.����������������

JUNIOR HIGH IS KEY

The ����Vlog is open for everyone, but to take full advantage of our you must transfer before high school. That’s because eighth grade is when students apply for our three early college high schools as well as our STEM Academy at Martin High School. Ninth graders also start taking classes that can help lead to jobs through programs at our Dan Dipert Career & Technical Center. If the opportunity for up to 60 hours of free college credit or a chance to go to our new school with a focus on medical careers at Bowie High School is right for you, then you have to get here before high school.����������������������

SAFETY AND SECURITY

The pandemic that hit last year was a devastating blow for many. But in coming to the ����Vlog, know that you’re enrolling in a district that has put safety and security of students and staff members as a priority. We opened a COVID-19 testing site for staff and students last year and have strict COVID-19 protocols in place at all of our campuses.����������������

ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY

The ����Vlog wastes no time in taking action. We were one of the few large school districts in the area to be able to start the 2020-21 school year on time. How were we able to do that? By making sure that our students had access to more than 40,000 pieces of technology that were free to them. We made sure students who were learning virtually had access to meals from 30 student-meal locations. That’s a practice we started when the pandemic first hit and one we continue.����������������

ACADEMIES FOR ALL

While every one of our campuses provides outstanding opportunities for everyone, the ����Vlog also has five specialized elementary school programs that focus on everything from STEM to leadership and four high school opportunities. We’re also in the process of opening our first fine arts/dual language junior high. We already have two dual language/fine arts elementary schools.����������������

COMMUNITY SUPPORT, TOO

The ����Vlog you transfer into now is ever changing thanks to a community that passed a $966 million bond in 2019. That’s building on our 2014 Bond, which is why we have the Dan Dipert Career & Technical Center that puts students on paths to success. That’s why we have the new Center for Visual and Performing Arts, a facility that is unmatched in the area. That’s why we’re building new schools, updating every campus and providing our students the best opportunities. Why wouldn’t you want to come to a district that has that kind of backing?

To take advantage of all of that and more, you have to take the first step by March 19 to to the ����Vlog and transform your future.

Counselors demonstrate unyielding devotion

It’s National School Counseling Week and we want to take this opportunity to highlight our outstanding counselors and guidance and counseling department staff. They are, by nature, selfless and devoted to serving students. This school year, more than any other, that devotion has been tested and proven unyielding.

“As an elementary counselor, I am passionate about connecting with and supporting my students as I watch them grow socially and emotionally,” said Kristen Hogan from Dunn Elementary, echoing a common refrain among ����Vlog’s counselors.

Our school counselors work with each student and focus on social and emotional wellness, academic achievement and college and career readiness.��Their goal is for each student to receive the emotional and academic support and resources they need to achieve their maximum potential in school and life.

Adapting during COVID-19

But COVID-19 has served up a challenge like no other. The pandemic has separated counselors from their students while creating an environment where many students need more support than ever. More than ever, counselors are critical.

So, counselors have adapted. School closures, quarantines and social distancing were not going to keep them from reaching their students.

“Although the pandemic has created challenges, school counselors are adapting to meeting the emotional and academic wellbeing of students,” said Telisa Brown, ����Vlog director of guidance and counseling. “Counselors are regularly, intentionally mapping out systems to keep students connected. They are reaching out to parents and families, ensuring students are sustaining strong supporting relationships with adults in the school, and counselors are consistently helping students develop coping skills and remaining at a place mentally where they are ready to learn.”

It hasn’t been easy though. Counselors and the district’s counselor specialists have had to navigate an environment where they are often isolated themselves and have to rely on technology to interact with each other and their students. Like their students, they are without many of the in-person supports and relationships they usually rely on.

"A large percentage of our job is typically face-to-face interaction, and the virtual setting has definitely presented its challenges,” said Anitra Givens, lead counselor at Bowie High School. “But I've utilized all platforms to communicate with parents and students, like social media, Canvas and email. I'm also partnering with teachers more to address social and emotional needs."

Getting creative during COVID-19

Adopting a whatever-it-takes attitude, counselors have tapped into their creativity to reach students. For a great example, read what Hogan has done at Dunn in her own words:

“As we returned to campus for in-person learning, I was ecstatic to see students in our buildings again. I explored different ways to connect with my students while maintaining the recommended social distancing guidance. One fun thing we did was take our guidance lessons outside. Through generous donations from parents and friends, we had enough lawn chairs for each student to participate outside. I was beyond grateful for everyone who donated the chairs, because they gave more than just a lawn chair. They gave these students a chance to connect, share, learn and grow outside and allowed me the chance to see their precious smiles in person. This time was filled with reading, coloring and listening to music. I never thought that teaching students how to fold up a lawn chair would be a part of my lessons but I’m so thankful for the fun opportunity this presented! There’s something special about learning outside in the sunshine with a lawn chair that makes you feel relaxed and at peace.”

In an effort to detox from technology, I have provided focused opportunities for students to express their emotions through creative art projects.��Art is a powerful coping tool as it helps kids to self-regulate and process big emotions. This week we discussed loving yourself and the power of positive self-talk. We painted hearts on tinfoil using Q-tips as a reminder to love yourself.”

Our counselors have truly risen to the occasion and we are thankful.

“I have never been prouder of our counselors,” said Jodie Dunn, ����Vlog elementary counselor specialist. “Even when they have had to do things that were never part of their job before, they led with their hearts and kept trying to connect with their students. I've just been in awe of their tireless dedication to supporting every student in this district and ensuring all students felt love and had every resource they need to be successful.”

Our counseling hotline, which is open Monday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m., can be reached at 682-867-9416. That number is operated by school counselors. You can also schedule a time with your school counselor at this��.��

Ceremony hosted in New Athletics Center��

Seated socially distanced from her two teammates, Autumn Smith’s smile beamed at the thought of reaching another milestone a lifetime in the making. The Martin High School senior girls basketball standout was among more than 70 student-athletes from across ����Vlog honored at Wednesday’s National Signing Day Ceremony at the ����Vlog Athletics Center.

“It’s a really cool experience getting everyone together, especially since it’s COVID going on, you don’t get to see everyone together like this, so it’s great to share this with my teammates and coaches and family,” said Smith, an All-State performer headed to Louisiana Tech next year.

Despite the obstacles of a challenging year, 73 student-athletes rose to the occasion to earn athletic scholarships to 54 colleges and universities. The scholarships total $4.9 million, based on a four-year college plan, according to ����Vlog officials.

The Signing Day Ceremony is a public acknowledgment of years of dedication for an accomplished collection of young women and men. Their decisions to continue their academic and athletic careers across Texas and the country is both special and unique.

“It’s such a great accomplishment,” ����Vlog athletic director Eric White said. “It’s not only a sign of physical and mental hard work, it’s a sign of perseverance, especially in a year like this to push through. It would have been easy to check out.

“Every year we have this it’s such a great accomplishment for kids to show their dedication. And for the parents and coaches for their support and what they pour into them, it’s a celebration and culmination of something they worked four years for. And it’s a transition to set them up for the next stage of life and the opportunity to be successful.”

All six ����Vlog high schools were represented, with scholarships going out for 12 different sports.

“It’s wonderful to look across and see kids from every one of our schools,” White said. “That’s a testament to our leadership, it’s a testament to our coaches, it’s a testament to our administration. It’s creating a culture here that gives our kids an opportunity to succeed.”

As much as that culture allows ����Vlog student-athletes to pursue their many passions, it’s clear that one game remains king in the Lone Star State. More than 40 student-athletes inked football scholarships at colleges such as Texas, Arizona, Kansas State, Oregon State, Army and Navy.

“It’s Christmas in February,” said Sam Houston football coach Anthony Criss, who had five of his players sign. “It’s a great honor to see these kids get an opportunity to get an education. Awesome day. A great event by the ����Vlog.”

The competition for scholarships proved tougher than normal with the NCAA allowing an extra year of eligibility for current college student athletes due to the pandemic. But these ����Vlog standouts aren’t afraid of a little extra competition in the classroom or on the field of play.

And though they’re ready for the next step, many of their high school careers aren’t done just yet. Smith, along with teammates Mariah Roberts (TCU), Taliah Hill (Lamar) and the rest of the state-ranked Lady Warriors, begin their playoff run next week back at the ����Vlog Athletics Center.

“I’m very excited about the playoffs and how that will go,” Smith said. “We can’t look past anyone. We have to think about the game that’s coming up and what we need to do to move on to the next round. We’re going to have to persevere and stay consistent.”

Classroom addition to open in August

Gunn Junior High is practically unrecognizable. With multiple additions under construction, the look – and size – of the building is changing dramatically. It will eventually look great, but right now, it looks like a big construction site. The 2019 Bond project at Gunn is converting the school into a fine arts/dual language junior high academy. Here’s the latest update on the construction.

Work on the additions is ongoing. The south classroom addition is progressing on schedule and will be ready for students this August.

Steel erection for the "in-fill" addition (between the main school building and the cafeteria and gym building) is complete as contractors work to get the new kitchen and new cafeteria ready for the start of school in August 2021.

The foundation for the north addition – locker rooms and athletic area – is almost complete. That addition is scheduled to be open mid-fall.

Inside the existing building, renovations for the fine arts rooms are ongoing, including dance, piano, theater and music. The band, choir and orchestra rooms are mostly finished, and the theatre and dance spaces are underway. Outside, a new parking area on the west side of the building is now open along with the redone north-side parking lot. A new fire loop is also complete along with a new retention pond. The athletic field has been resurfaced with field turf and is now open.

Additional renovations to the existing building are scheduled to start in September, after students have moved into the new classroom addition, and will wrap up in the fall semester of 2022.��

The construction project at Gunn started immediately after the 2019 Bond was approved in November 2019. With the addition and renovations, Gunn will become home to a new junior high fine arts and dual language academy while continuing to serve the 7^th��and 8^th��grade students zoned for the school.

For a list of all Bond 2019 projects, please visit /bond2019/bond-2019-projects/

����Vlog teacher first to win the award

Ellis Elementary sixth grade teacher Antonio Young expected Thursday to be just like any other day at school.

He couldn’t have been more wrong.

Young’s morning started when he was escorted outside the school by principal Keith Boyd to find the Dallas Cowboys bus, team mascot Rowdy, ����Vlog Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos and others waiting to honor him. It ended with his class talking to Cowboys offensive lineman Joe Looney on a Zoom call about Young, his students and teaching.

Those are the kinds of days that happen when you’ve been selected as the first .

“I had no idea,” said Young. “They got me on this.”

Young found out about the honor in December when the Cowboys announced he was the winner on social media. As part of the award, the school received a $3,000 grant, which will be used for an interactive learning experience in Young’s classroom.

That was where Young thought the honors ended. Instead, Young was given a Cowboys jersey with his name and the No. 1 on it, and his class had a chance to talk to Looney during an afternoon class period.

“Antonio Young demonstrates excellence,” Cavazos said. “We met several years ago, and he does a phenomenal job connecting with the students. He represents our teachers extremely well.”

Young, who teaches English Language Arts, uses his writing and rapping ability to interact with his students. Several of his students have starred in videos with Young, including last year featured on Access Hollywood and in . Young also put together a with students for the 2020-21 school year, another for the city’s , and is working on another for Black History Month this year.

And that’s just what he does with his free time outside the classroom.

When Ellis Elementary principal Keith Boyd found out that Young was nominated for the award, he wasn’t surprised.

“He was just in my office asking me what more he could do,” Boyd said. “I can’t think of anyone better to be honored.”

Young’s students were also involved as they got to go outside to see him get surprised by the Cowboys team bus being in the parking lot. They also got to participate in the Zoom session with Looney, where they got to talk about their favorite Cowboys players as well as their favorite class. Looney was also able to talk to the students about the importance of education.

Since they have a teacher like Young, they already knew that.

“As a person who’s always loved education, I loved education as a student myself,” Young said. “I feel that the future these kids are going to walk into as they graduate from high school, they have to be prepared and ready. But they first have to love education. So to do it, bringing education to them in a way that’s going to make them want to learn and have fun in the classroom, just that element of writing rap songs to provide a positive outlet for them. It means the world to be recognized for it.”